Convertible tray



April 15, 1958 J. A. HALL 2,830,709

CONVERTIBLE TRAY Filed June 11, 19 54 JNVENTOR. JAMES A.HALL

ATTORNEY,

United States Patent CONVERTIBLE TRAY James A. Hall, Louisville, Ky., assignor to Reynolds Metals Company, Louisville, Ky., a corporation of Delaware Application June 11, 1954, Serial No. 435,985

3 Claims. (Cl. 211-153) The present invention relates to a metal tray of the type used in refrigerators. Such trays generally comprise a frame which supports a filler portion that may comprise a plurality of spaced bars so as to form a tray having slots therein.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tray wherein the frame may be employed in one position with the filler portion' to provide a substantially flush tray, and may be employed in inverted position with the filler portion to provide a brimmed tray.

Another object is the provision of a tray having a filler portion and rim which is inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a frame member adapted to be assembled in normal or inverted position with a filler member to provide a flush or brimmed tray.

The invention will be described in detail in the following specification taken with the accompanying drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention by way of example, and wherein:

Figure l is a plan view of the assembled tray with parts broken away;

Figure 2 is a section view of the rim taken on line II-II of Figure 1, before the deforming operation;

Figure 3 is a section similar to Figure 2 with the filler in position and a flange deformed;

Figure 4 is a section view taken on line IV--IV of Figure 5 with the filler in position and a flange deformed;

and

Figure 5 is a plan view of the structure assembled according to Figure 4.

Referring to the drawing, the shelf or tray comprises a frame or rim member 1 and a filler portion 2, the frame portion being formed of aluminum or other suitable metal. As shown in Figure 2, the frame comprises a vertical flange 3 merging at the top with a horizontal end flange 4; and having a second horizontal flange 5 extending from the vertical flange and providing a space 6 between the flanges. The vertical flange 3 is extended at 7 below the second horizontal flange, and may have its edge rounded or beaded.

This frame member may be formed as an extruded shape with the horizontal flanges mitered at 8 at suitable intervals, so that the desiredlength of frame member may be bent to form a generally rectangular frame surrounding the filler portion 2, and the ends of the frame may be suitably united, as by welding.

As shown the filler member 2 is in the form of a sheet having an offset rim portion 9 terminating in downward or depending flanges 11. Preferably the corners of the filler member are notched at 12, as this eliminates the need to form the corners on a radius, and facilitates form- 2,830,709 Patented Apr. 15, 1958 ing the offset 9 and flange 11. The filler preferably has a plurality of slots 13 therein, the edges of the slots being struck downwardly to provide reinforcing ribs 14 on the underside. In assembling the filler portion to the frame, the ribs 14 preferably are positioned on the underside so as to provide a smooth upper surface.

The normal assembly of the frame 1 and filler portion 2 is shown in Figure 3, the end flange 4 being at the top, and the tray having the offset portion 9 underlying flange 4 and received in space 6. To hold the frame and filler assembled the flange 5 is upset against the filler portion, as shown at 5a to lock the depending flange 11 of the filler portion in place. Preferably the flange 5a is struck up far enough to engage the under face of the filler portion' 2 so as to prevent any play between the frame and filler that would cause rattling. This provides a flush tray because the flange 4 is substantially flush with the top surface of filler member 2.

To form a brimmed tray, the frame is inverted as shown in Figures 4 and 5, so that the extended portion 7 is at the top and flange 4 is at the bottom. The filler portion 2 is inserted, and the end flange 4 is struck up as indicated at 4a to engage and hold flange 11. In this embodiment the flange 5 is substantially flush with the top surface of the filler member and the extended portion 7 forms a brim around the tray.

I claim as my invention:

1. A shelf for a refrigerator or the like comprising: a frame having a vertical flange merged at one end with a horizontal end flange, and having a second horizontal flange extending from the vertical flange in the same direction as the first horizontal flange and providing a space between said horizontal flanges; said flanges both being arranged to be selectively deformed inwardly, one toward the other; a filler member having a substantially planar top and an edge portion offset from the top to a depth substantially equal to the thickness of one of said horizontal flanges and terminating in a downwarldy bent rim; said oflset portion and rim of the filler member being received in the space between the horizontal flanges of the frame, with the top of the filler member substantially flush with the flange selected as the top flange, and the other one of said horizontal flanges being deformed inwardly to lock said rim in said space.

2. A shelf as specified in claim 1 wherein: said filler member is received between said horizontal flanges with the offset portion'underlying said horizontal end flange, and said deformed flange is said second horizontal flange.

3. A shelf as specified in claim 1 wherein: said vertical flange of the frame is extended beyond said second horizontal flange in a direction away from the end flange, and said filler member is received between said horizontal flanges with the offset portion underlying said second horizontal flange, and said deformed flange is said horizontal end flange, to form a shelf with the extended portion of the frame forming a brim.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 408,001 Dunn July 30, 1889 1,864,907 Hyams June 28, 1932 2,076,099 Smith et al Apr. 6, 1937 2,265,790 Young Dec. 9, 1941 2,568,148 Goldsmith Sept. 18, 1951 2,568,153 Hickman Sept. 18, 1951 

